Carrying Capacity

The resources in any given habitat can support only a certain quantity of wildlife. As seasons change, food, water, or cover may be in short supply. Carrying capacity is the number of animals the habitat can support all year long. The carrying capacity of a certain tract of land can vary from year to year. It can be changed by nature or humans.

Factors that limit the potential production of wildlife include:

Disease/parasites

Starvation

Predators

Pollution

Accidents

Old age

Hunting

Glossary

carrying capacity

Carrying capacity is the number of animals a given habitat can support all year long without damaging the animals or the habitat.